Peek at the past

Here’s what made the news 12 years ago, from the Aug. 20, 1999, edition of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:

Nurses walk out on union

Nurses at Valley Hospital Association voted to discontinue their relationship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The union had represented the nurses at the Palmer-based hospital for the last 10 years. There were no serious problems with the union, said Sandy Bickel, an operating room nurse who helped organize the petition drive that led to the election. Many nurses simply felt IBEW does not understand nursing and medical issues as well as it does the issues of trade professionals. IBEW will continue to represent about 260 of the hospital’s nonprofessional staff, including clerical staff, clinical support staff, and other positions.

VPA to perform on larger stage

The stage in the Valley Performing Arts theater in Wasilla is being enlarged thanks to the help of volunteers and local businesses. Theater patrons can look forward to an additional 14 feet of acting area at all of VPA’s upcoming shows. Since volunteers also installed a new seating row, theater capacity will not be dramatically affected. The new row increases audience seating by 14, the theater can now support up to 157 spectators.

Bloodmobile debuts in Valley

The Blood Bank of Alaska is debuting its new bloodmobile, designed to accommodate those who want to donate blood but are not serviced by a local blood-bank office. It’s built on a Bluebird heavy-duty commercial chassis and houses screening rooms, a waiting area, a draw area, a recovery area, and several heaters in its 40-foot-long frame. It will also provide emergency housing for blood-bank employees traveling with the vehicle. Marianne Schlegelmilch, manager of the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Mat-Su office, explains: “This is the first vehicle of its type in Alaska. It’s a mobile collection unit to supplement offices — a state-of-the-art, self-contained unit.”

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in 1999 you could:

• Buy a round-trip ticket to Seattle for $250.

• Drive a ’99 Pontiac Grand Am for $20,000.

• Rent a three-bedroom apartment in Palmer for $625.

• Purchase a 38-pound bag of Purina Dog Food for $12.99.